Modification History
Not applicable.
Description
This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for an individual to be competent to work at entry level in a community pharmacy. Typical functions within the community pharmacy industry for those who achieve this level of competency include serving and interacting with customers, merchandising products and controlling stock, understanding the product range and the roles and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants and pharmacists, communicating with customers to identify needs and provide appropriate product advice and/or referral.
The work role of the community pharmacy assistant is defined by the pharmacy registering authorities (state and territory Pharmacy Boards). When selling pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines, the pharmacy assistant provides a filter to identify customer information and requirements for referral to the pharmacist.
The structure of this qualification recognises the diversity of business models that characterise the community pharmacy industry. It supports multi-skilling and participation in work teams as appropriate to the size and structure of the business.
This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Job roles
Pharmacy assistant
Pathways Information
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
There are no prerequisites for entry to this qualification.
Employability Skills Summary
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS SUMMARY
SIR20107 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills required by the community pharmacy industry for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.
Employability skill |
Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include : |
Communication |
Use communication skills to establish customer requirements, answer questions and provide information on pharmacy products and services. Communicate about highly personal and sensitive information that requires empathy, tact and confidentiality. Understand how to interact with customers to sell products within business and ethical standards. Maintain regular communication with the pharmacist, such as alerting them to situations requiring their attention. |
Problem solving |
Solve problems within a framework of established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. Problems may relate to matching appropriate products to meet customer needs or identifying and investigating stock discrepancies. |
Initiative and enterprise |
Use initiative in identifying the most appropriate products and services for customers. Opportunities for initiative and enterprise occur within established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. |
Teamwork |
Work closely with the pharmacist to identify and sell appropriate products and services to community pharmacy customers. Work with other pharmacy team members as required and according to business size and structure. |
Planning and organising |
Understand the boundaries of their job role, established by legislation, guidelines and business protocols and procedures. Collect necessary information from customers to assess and respond to their needs. Ensure the timely delivery of products, services and information to both customers and other team members, such as the pharmacist. |
Self-management |
Understand the legal context, including the boundaries of the job role and also an awareness of the special requirements for selling medicines and managing scheduled medicines. This involves a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant and how these relate to the role of the pharmacist. Take responsibility for their own time management within established routines. An example is receiving prescriptions and delivering prescription medicines to customers to meet the workflow of the dispensary and the expectations of the customers. This may involve communicating with customers to manage their expectations. |
Learning |
Locate information required for their role. This could include information on product range and application, health and lifestyle information. |
Technology |
Use point-of-sale technology and computer-based information and database systems on a routine basis. Sell a range of products including kits, aids and equipment. Understand how these items operate and to demonstrate safe use to the customer. |
Due to the high proportion of electives required by this qualification, the industry/enterprise requirements described above for each employability skill are representative of community pharmacy in general and may not reflect specific job roles. Learning and assessment strategies for this qualification should be based on the requirements of the units of competency for this qualification.
Packaging Rules
QUALIFICATION RULES To achieve a Certificate II in Community Pharmacy, 22 units must be completed:
In all cases selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors). |
CORE UNITS |
|
SIRPDIS001A |
Accept prescriptions and deliver medicine |
SIRPPKS001A |
Support the sale of pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines |
SIRPPKS002A |
Identify, locate and sell products related to allergies |
SIRPPKS003A |
Identify, locate and sell analgesic and anti-inflammatory products |
SIRPPKS005A |
Identify, locate and sell cough and cold products |
SIRPPKS006A |
Identify, locate and sell eye, ear and oral care products |
SIRPPKS007A |
Identify, locate and sell products for gastro-intestinal conditions |
SIRPPKS008A |
Identify, locate and sell first aid and wound care products |
SIRPPKS009A |
Identify, locate and sell products for skin and fungal conditions |
SIRXCCS001A |
Apply point-of-sale handling procedures |
SIRXCCS002A |
Interact with customers |
SIRXCLM001A |
Organise and maintain work areas |
SIRXCOM001A |
Communicate in the workplace |
SIRXIND001A |
Work effectively in a retail environment |
SIRXINV001A |
Perform stock control procedures |
SIRXMER001A |
Merchandise products |
SIRXOHS001A |
Apply safe working practices |
SIRXRSK001A |
Minimise theft |
SIRXSLS001A |
Sell products and services |
ELECTIVE UNITS |
|
Computer Operations and ICT Management |
|
SIRXICT001A |
Operate retail technology |
Dispensary |
|
SIRPDIS002A |
Deliver prescription medicines to customers outside the pharmacy |
Finance |
|
SIRXFIN001A |
Balance point-of-sale terminal |
Community Pharmacy : Product |
|
SIRPPKS004A |
Identify, locate and sell baby and infant products |
Retail Product Knowledge |
|
SIRXRPK001A |
Recommend health and nutritional products and services |
SIRXRPK002A |
Recommend hair, beauty and cosmetic products and services |